Travelling with Babies and Children

Are you bored of travel disasters? Does the stress of travelling with your youngsters make you wish you'd stayed at home? Here are some tips on travelling with children and babies.

Car Safety

• Make sure you have adequate child seats in your car. Children under 3 need to be in a car seat which is appropriate for their weight, in all vehicles except for the rear seat of taxis.
• Ensure that the child seat is fitted correctly and meets the current safety requirements.
• Removable car window shades are a good idea to protect children from the sun's heat and glare. Many shades still allow the car windows to be opened and closed without disturbing the shades.
• Ensure that the child locks are on in case a bored child decides to open the door.
• Be aware of the dangers posed by electric windows. Make sure that their fingers can't get trapped. This applies to the sunroof too.
• Never leave children alone in the car. If the temperature suddenly goes up, this is highly dangerous.

Packing The Car

• Pack the car before you put the children inside.
• Remember to leave them enough space to be comfortable - don't pack the car so tightly that there isn't enough room for manoeuvre!
• Keep just a small number of toys and other amusements handy.
• Make sure that things are arranged so that nothing can lurch forward or to the side and hinder you whilst driving or injure children.
• Keep a rubbish bag handy.

Before you leave let children know where you are going, how long it is likely to take and what they can expect when you arrive so that they can see the trip as an adventure.

Entertaining The Children

• Play a couple of favourite CDs in the car and take along books. Story cassettes and CDs are popular with young children.
• If they argue over the choice of cassette or CD, persuade one or other to bring along their Walkman or ipod. Just remember to take plenty of extra batteries!
• Stop every few hours to relieve boredom and for toilet breaks.
• Get children over the age of six to pack a bag containing their own choice of amusements. They're more likely to stay occupied if they have picked them out themselves.

While Travelling

• Consider driving through the night or in the early morning, particularly if you have a long journey to make. Children are more likely to be asleep then.
• Make sure that air is circulating within the car and that children are taking on board plenty of liquid ,especially if it is a hot day.
• Fizzy drinks, sweets and other processed foods and drinks are likely to cause children to be hyperactive. Water, fruit, biscuits and crackers are a better idea. Be prepared to clean up the mess later!
• If small children start to cry, pull over at a suitable place. They most likely are in need of attention.
• Travel sickness probably won't be a problem unless your children are at least pre-school age.

As every parent knows, travelling with small children can be a total nightmare. These tips should help to ease the stress of travelling with babies and toddlers.